‘Phenomenal’ Honma – Malbon Collab Is Moving $20K Sets Of Golf Clubs

At first glance, Honma Golf and Malbon seem to be consumer brands at opposite ends of the golf spectrum. Two very different origins made their recent collaboration on a collection of golf clubs and accessories seem unusual, if not unlikely. But it’s a partnership that’s proving to be well received.

Honma’s roots stretch back over six generations to Sakata, Japan, where master craftsmen and artisans have long treated making golf clubs as an art form. The company’s focus is on delivering precision and innovation from some of the traditional game’s top technical minds.

Malbon emerged out of Los Angeles less than a decade ago with a very different energy. Trendy and edgy, the popular apparel brand draws influence from fashion, music and street culture — viewing golf as a platform for creativity and self-expression.

What the two brands share – beyond loyal followings — is a belief that golf is expanding culturally, even as it remains deeply anchored in tradition.

Their collaboration yielded two lines of clubs, one of which – the Premium Collection – has a list price of $20,000. The other, the Performance Collection, is priced at $5,800. There’s also a limited line of accessories.

The “why” behind the limited collection is a unique combination of exclusivity and artistry. In the words of the companies upon initially partnering, it’s a “rare collaboration by which cultivated Japanese elegance meets the vibrant pulse of American youth.”

And as Taylor Hull, the Director of Sales for Honma Golf in North America, explained further: “It’s a unique opportunity to connect with new audiences while continuing to deliver premium products to our loyal customers.”

Phenomenal Response

The price points make it clear the partnership isn’t about sales volume or mass adoption. Rather, it speaks to golfers who value craftsmanship and design, while especially viewing golf as an extension of identity. But it’s one that’s been popular; only a couple months in, they’ve already re-ordered additional product.

“The response has been phenomenal,” Hull said. “The collection is selling through quickly, which speaks to the strong demand and enthusiasm from both Honma and Malbon communities.”

The project was always intended to be more than a logo swap or simply an aesthetic exercise.

Indeed, this is a full lineup of drivers, fairway woods, utilities, irons and putters, offered in the two distinct collections.

Modern engineering, speed and forgiveness are the descriptors tied to the Performance collection, a line targeted at competitive players. The color story, meanwhile, is intense – with golden hues representing the Honma brand and green representing the Malbon influence. The men’s clubs are accentuated by a rich emerald green (Midori), while the women’s feature a rose gold (Tonoko).

The Premium collection, meanwhile, follows in the tradition of Honma’s luxury Beres line, blending Japanese artistry with modern expression. The men’s lineup is stylized in black and gold; the women’s in pink and gold.

Both lines can promise optimized center of gravity, weighting, ball flight trajectory, and stability, so the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference – and how much a consumer is willing to spend for a premium product, if not a collectible one.

The shared logo is a combination of Malbon’s playful Buckets character with Honma’s understated mole. And that really captures the spirit of the project – the two symbols are from different worlds (in many respects) and are now mashed up without really losing their individuality. The Honma x Malbon collab exemplifies that two different brand cultures can find a common bond over craftsmanship.

“This collaboration has not only expanded our reach but also reinforced the idea that golf can be both stylish and performance-driven,” said Hull. “We see this as a major success and a foundation for future partnerships that bring fresh energy to the game.”